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| Sydney, Australia |  Review on January 30, 2022: |
Jess & Mike
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My husband had a pretty similar experience to what many others who have posted here (as far as process and orientation). He drove to Sydney the night before and stayed at the Hyde Park Inn which had underground parking and was in walking distance to the consulate. He showed up to his appointment about an hour early. The security officer told him to come back, which he did a half hour later, and they let him through. He only brought his documentation, wallet, and phone. They took everything, sent him through security and then gave him back his documents. He was then directed to a large open room with waiting chairs and numbered booths where the interviews were occurring. He was given an informational handout and directed to a number ticket dispenser. He grabbed a ticket and waited till they called his number. Once his number was called, he walked up to the specified booth where he was asked for specific documents, which he provided from what he had brought. Then was directed to go sit back down. He waited for another 20 minutes or so and then was called back for the interview. His interview was relatively straightforward. They were extremely particular about his documentation which resulted in a bit of stress. For instance they didnt like the passport size photographs he brought. Although he had gotten them done professionally at his local pharmacy, the officer said the contrast was too dark and the scale wasn't quite right. Apparently the US and Australia have different criteria for passport photos. Fortunately the officer relented after talking to his supervisor who came to inspect them. (So make sure your photos match US immigration standards!) Another snag with documentation was over our marriage papers. We were married in the US (Washington state) and were provided both a Marriage Certificate and a Certificate of Marriage (yep, those are separate documents). My husband had originally provided them the Marriage Certificate but what they wanted was the Certificate of Marriage (which fortunately he had in the file he brought). Lastly, there was an issue over his birth certificate translation. My husband is an Australian citizen but was born in the USSR. He had a professionally translated birth certificate that our attorneys had told us did not meet the US immigration criteria. So we re-did the translation ourselves (per our attorneys direction). The consulate officer would not accept the second translation. Fortunately (one heart attack later), my husband was able to provide them the original (professional) translation which was accepted. He was told his visa was approved after that. The officer was proffesional and polite. He did not offer any side conversation. Overall, albeit stressful, it was a very smooth process. The passport (with a U.S. visa) beat him home back to Melbourne which was a pleasant surprise.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #30692